AN ANCIENT ASTRONOMER’S SECRET

Monday, December 12, 2022

In today’s newsletter, we examine if an immune-dodging hybrid virus is on its way; seek the secrets an amazingly accurate ancient map of the stars; rejoice at new hope to stop hot flashes … and learn why better sleep could be the best New Year’s resolution. Plus, happy National Poinsettia Day.

ILLUSTRATION VIA NORTH WIND PICTURE ARCHIVES, ALAMY

How did the ancients figure out which stars were in the night sky? And where, exactly?

Well, the father of astronomy, with the most rudimentary of instruments, did it amazingly well, new studies of his calculations show. In fact, for many centuries after Hipparchus’s death, astronomers couldn’t come close to the accuracy of his map of the night sky—the world’s oldest. What was his secret?

Read the full story here.

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The mystery deepens: The discovery of Hipparchus’s measurements in hidden text (detailed above via multispectral analysis) has only deepened the wonder of his skill. At top, an illustration of Hipparchus doing his thing. Read more.

SPOTLIGHT: TIGER KING

PHOTOGRAPH BY STEVE WINTER, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Banning ‘Tiger Kings’: Before the infamous Netflix show, Nat Geo Explorers Sharon Guynup and Steve Winter were crisscrossing the U.S. to find the country’s some 4,500 captive big cats. Their reporting on abuses and lack of regulations was sent to members of Congress and last week, the Senate passed a law banning cub petting and breeding big cats for private possession. President Bidenis expected to sign the landmark legislation, reports Nat Geo.

DON’T PET THAT CUB!

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

Two diverse viruses can form a dangerous hybrid that could dodge the immune system

Scientists have discovered what causes hot flashes—and how to stop them

Toothless and ‘paltry’: Critics slam USDA’s fines for animal welfare violations

These American diets could prolong your life

Why sleep should be near the top of your New Year’s resolutions

What archaeologists have found about the real Jesus

A rare look at the world’s most expensive sheep

Who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls? Science may have the answer.

QUIZ: WHAT IN THE WORLD?

BALAGE BALOGH/SCALA, FLORENCE

What was this? The upraised building and surrounding complex (illustrated above) became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It lasted for 16 centuries, longer than all but one of the wonders—the Egyptian pyramids. Do you know this wonder? Click here for the answer.

WHAT WONDER WAS THIS?

LAST GLIMPSE

PHOTOGRAPH BY TOM ALLEN, TCT ARMENIA

Hiking though a pioneering Christian outpost: “I remember looking out at these mountains and thinking, ‘my God, I really want to explore them,’” adventurer and trail developer Tom Allen said about Armenia. Now, there’s a stunning, 514-mile series of trails through the Caucasus Mountains, from the arid Aras Valley to lush forests rolling into Georgia, Nat Geo reports. (Pictured above, a meadow above Dilijan, Armenia.)

TAKE A LOOK

Today’s soundtrack: Tiger Mountain Peasant Song, Fleet Foxes

Today’s newsletter was curated and edited by Sydney Combs, Jen Tse, Mallory Benedict, and David Beard. Have an idea or link to a story you think is right down our alley? Let us know at david.beard@natgeo.com. Happy trails!

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AN ANCIENT ASTRONOMER’S SECRET

AN ANCIENT ASTRONOMER’S SECRET

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